73-77.5 External 8 Lug Hubs

[Nigon]

I'm in the process of planning a custom full float Dana 44 rear axle build and the 73-77.5 hubs with the external mount locking hubs look like what I need but I'm having trouble getting information on them. Primarily, what spindle do they need? Do they use the same spindle as the later model internal 6 and 8 lug versions? Also, since they do not seem to be available new, is there a good source for parts as I'll need everything outside the knuckle (spindle, brake caliper mount, caliper, rotor, hub...) Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated!

[Rapid Roy]

Welcome to the site.

[Irish_Alley]

i know you must have a reason for this, but why? afaik gm never used the dana 44 in a rear axle, only front axle in the ½ ton and ¾ tons. why not just use a 14 bolt ff that gm made and is pretty much readily available and cheap since its not a custom build and much stronger

[ehjorten]

Am I confused?  Are you doing some custom 4-wheel steer?  You talk about a rear axle and then talk about spindles and stuff outside the knuckle?!

[Nigon]

Thanks for the replies. It is actually for a Jeep CJ5 I am building. The typical full float Dana 60 and 14 bolt rear axles are overkill and add a lot of unnecessary weight for my application. I plan to cut the bearing cups off a Dana 44 rear axle (from a Jeep Grand Wagoneer) and weld on an adapter that will accept a front axle spindle giving me the best of both worlds. (Similar to what Metcalf shows here with Dana 30 components: https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/cj2a-disc-brake-conversion_topic27967.html) It will weigh less, share all the brake and bearing part numbers with the front axle (fewer spares to carry) and I won’t have a wheel fall off on the trail if I snap an axle. I know my project isn’t specific to this forum but I was hoping you would be able to point in in the right direction for parts. I’ve been trying to figure out if the big hubs use the same large bearing spindle as other Dana 44 axles but I’m finding conflicting information. I also haven’t had much luck finding a source for the parts. Thanks again for your help!

[Irish_Alley]

have you tried pirate4x4.com? most of us dont build smaller things like jeeps and very few build custom axles, i really dont think you'll find the answer you're looking for on here. that being said we wouldnt care if you posted your build on here, it will give us something different to look at and we will try to help you whenever we can.

[Nigon]

I know how to build the axle but I need the info you guys have specialize in 73 - 77.5 Chevy truck tech. Specific K20 front axle component interchangeability with later model trucks.

1. Is the spindle for the Big Hub front axle (1st Gen Axle) of a 73-77.5 8 lug Dana 44 the same as the as a 78 and later 6 lug Dana 44? I know they have the same size bearing journals but I don’t know if they are a different length, ID or have a different diameter pilot or mounting pattern on the knuckle.

2. Do you have a good source for 8 lug 1st Gen Axle parts? I don’t have a good junk yard near by and haven’t found anyone selling new replacement parts.

Thanks again

[75gmck25]

I have an 8 lug Dana 44 front axle in my '75 K25, and when buying certain front axle parts there is a different listing for the 3/4 ton than for the 1/2 ton.  For example, there are two different parts numbers for manual locking hubs.  The 1/2 ton has the same part number for 60-87 hubs, but the 3/4 ton has a different part number for 60-76 hubs.  In '77 the 3/4 starts using the same part as the 1/2 ton.

My front axle is sometimes referred to as a Dana 44 HD, but I've never seen an explanation of what is different from any other Dana 44.

Bruce

[1967KaiserM715]

Gm dropped the dana 44HD (8 lug) in 77/8 in favor of the corporate 10 bolt HD (8lug), you could still find 44HD in later trucks, I assume just using up old stock.

The 8 lug versions of both the 44 and 10 bolt seem to use a different spindle and bearings then the lighter 1/2 ton/light duty versions of the axles.

I would like to take my 6 lug corporate 10 and convert to 8 to match my semi float 14 bolt rear. And I would need new spindles according to all my research.

Sent from my SM-S920L using Tapatalk

[Engineer]

1. Is the spindle for the Big Hub front axle (1st Gen Axle) of a 73-77.5 8 lug Dana 44 the same as the as a 78 and later 6 lug Dana 44? I know they have the same size bearing journals but I don’t know if they are a different length, ID or have a different diameter pilot or mounting pattern on the knuckle.

Yes.

The spindle for those applications are all the same.

My ‘77 K10 was a late model year production and had the bigger inner bearing and accompanying spindle. My ‘77.5 K10 spindle matched all years production of 73~87(91) K-20s